"This music makes me feel it's good to be alive."

“From the grand first movement through the rollicking scherzo, to the passionate finale, the performers were involved and intense.”

--- Mark J. Estren, Washington Post

Sharon Burton and Marilyn Banner

FROM SHARON BURTON via Instagram:sjbcreativeart#aboutlastnite Not everyone knows that in addition to classic rock, old school r & b and hip hop, as well as jazz, I love classical music (gotta give props to my late mom for sharing her love of and intentionally exposing me to all kinds of music). One my most memorable #artistdates, I had the pleasure to attend a performance presented by Washington Musica Viva at the home of my friend and fellow artist @marilynbannerart and her husband, @carlbanner1 last night. The featured performers along with Carl, who is a professional pianist included Fred Jacobowitz,(a freelancer and teacher of clarinet saxophone and flute) and Bonnie Thron, (the principal cellist for the North Carolina Symphony) husband and wife duo based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Surrounded by Marilyn's beautiful encaustic paintings, good food and good vibes, the trio took us on a magical musical journey which included works by Beethoven and Faure. Most interestly, they also premeired a work, entitled "Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano" 2017, by a talented DC based musician and composer Blair Goins who I also had the pleasure of meeting as well. Washington Music Viva has produced high quality, unpretentious public performances of a broad range of classical, jazz-based, and contemporary chamber music for 16 years. They have performed and produced over 200 programs including performances at the Kennedy Center, a few embassies, Twins Jazz Club (DC), and the Brooklyn Conservatory. The program is directed by Carl Banner and included guest professional musicians from DC, Baltimore, New York and of course, North Carolina. Funny story...ever since Marilyn and Carl started this program, I had in the back of my mind that I needed to attend. It so happens that I finally was able to catch a performance and wanted to attend this particular event only to learn it was sold out when I was trying to register. Three or four days later, out of the blue, I received an email from Carl inviting me to be their guests for this concert! Talk about serendipity... Thank you Marilyn and Carl for inviting me to attend last night's performance....I look forward to attending many more!sjbcreativeart#summerinthecity#classicalmusic#creativity#houseconcert#goodtimesmarilynbannerart So great to have you here!! Thanks for sharing what we do.

"...flowed with such freedom that one couldn't help but imagine standing on a boat's bow, arms outstretched. "

--- Grace Jean, in the Washington Post

“There was nothing boring about the high level of performance that Washington Musica Viva offered at the Ratner Museum on Wednesday. What there was, in spades, was a feeling of geniality that invited a collaboration, not only among the musicians but also among musicians and audience in the pleasures of the music…. Musica Viva is pianist Carl Banner's baby, and he has surrounded himself with fine chamber artists: clarinetist Ben Redwine, whose sophistication in the Brahms was as compelling as his sense of humor in switching among six different-size clarinets for the Stephens work; violinist Judith Spokes, who offered a soulful if somewhat careful reading of the Dvorak; cellist Amy Leung, who projected lyricism throughout…”

--- Joan Reinthaler, Washington Post

An appreciation: "I really appreciate your skill and passion in how you play, not only my music, but everything you perform. I always feel like you put your heart and soul into everything that you play, and it comes through clearly in your performances." Blair Goins, composer

"The audience didn't just like it, they whooped, yelped, [and] bravoed… After the Czech Embassy standing ovation, one audience member summed it up: 'This music makes me feel it’s good to be alive.' ” Marsha Dubrow in examiner.com